Rocket launcher



March 2, 1954 L. A. RICHARDS ROCKET LAUNCHER 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. l3, 1945 iNvENToR LORENZO H/HRS ATTORNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. A. RICHARDS ROCKET LAUNCHER March 2, 1954 Filed Aug. 15, 1945 ATTORNEY March 2, 1954 A. RICHARDS ROCKET LAUNCHER Filed Aug. l5, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 LORENZO A. H/CHAHDS A TORNEY Patented Mar. 2, 1954 ROCKET LAUN CHER Lorenzo A. Richards, Riverside, Calif., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Application August 13, 1945, Serial No. 610,655

(Cl. Sii-1.7)

2 Claims.

This invention relates to rocket launchers and more particularly to a rocket launcher of novel construction which is operable automatically to launch a plurality of rockets in succession from a single launching track.

One object of the invention is to provide a lightweight, easily portable launcher capable of ring, one after the other, a series of barrage rockets.

Another object is to provide an automatic launcher for rockets which is particularly adapted to fire the type of rocket described in a co-pending application of C. C. Lauritscn, Serialy No.. 481,645, now Patent Number 2,469,350, that is, a type of rocket wherein insulated and grounded tail ring-s on the rocket make electrical contact with parts of a ring circuit on the launcher.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatic launcher for rockets which continues to lire automatically as long as the supply circuit for the launcher firing contacts ismaintained, the launcher ceasing to fire when the circuit is opened, thereby providing an automatic launcher capable of firing all or a portion of its charges at the will of the rocketeer.

An additional object is to provide an automatic launcher for rockets which includes a novel rocket feeding mechanism of simple con-- struction and easily fabricated without concern for close tolerances.

A further .objecty is to provide an automatic launcher for rockets which is suitable for mounting on various types of combat vehicles, such as landing boats and land vehicles.

A launcher made in accordance with my invention comprises a track for receiving and launching a rocket, and storage means above the track for receiving a plurality of rockets. Preferably, the storage means receives the rockets in two adjacent columns and includes a gate normally separating the columns and movable, upon discharge of the last rocket from one of the columns overlying the track, to allow step by step movement of rockets from the secondy column into space previously occupied by the rst column, that is, into position over the track. Between the storage means and the track is a conveyor for transferring a rocket from the storage means to the track upon firing of a rocket from the track. In the preferred construction, the conveyor is in the form of a reel held against rotation by engagement with an underlying rocket on the track and which supports the rocket or rockets above the reel in the storage 2 means. Thus, as each rocket isA fired from the track, the reel is rotated by theweight of the rocket or rockets above it to deposit the. next rocket in firing position on the track.

These and other objects of the invention may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the new automatic launcher;

Fig. 2 is a side view in section of the launcher shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the reel for use in conveying rockets from the storage space to the launching track;

Fig, 4 is a perspective view of the launcher from the rear end thereof;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the launcher taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2looking toward the rear end thereof, showing the ypositions of the parts. after a rocket has been deposited on the track and before the reel has come to rest,

and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the positions of the parts after operation of the gate to release the second column of rockets.

Referring to the drawings, the launcher there shown consists of a framework which includes an inclined launcher track I0. The launcher track comprises a pair of rails i2 which are L- shaped in cross section with inturned and upturned ilanges I3 and I4 at the vertical and horizontal extremities, respectively, of the L. A spacer rail I5. extends along one side of the launcher track and is spaced laterally therefrom by cross pieces I6. A housing Il for storing rockets extends upwardly from the rear end portion of the launcher track H1 and at an acute angle thereto, the housing being mounted on a pair of structural braces Ila connected, respectively, to the outer rail I2 and the spacer rail I5. The housing I1 is generally U-shaped in horizontal section and isopen at its top and bottom and also at its forward end where itis provided with inturned flanges I 8. The sides of the housing extend downward to the outer rail l2 and the spacer rail I5, respectively, while the rear end of the housing has a clearanceopening i9 adjacent the launcher track. A vertical, internal rib Ilb on the rear end ofv the housing is disposed midway between the sides to form a guide member, the purpose of which Awill be apparent presently. i v Y Y Approximately midway between the ends of the track Ill areA guide. posts ZI! secured to the outer sides of the outer rail l2 and the spacer rail I5, the posts 20 extending upwardly parallel to the end housing I1. At their upper ends, the posts 20 are connected by a cross member 2| from which a spacerl bar 22 depends. A brace 23 extends forwardly from the top of the end housing I1 and connects with the spacer bar 22. A forward extension .of the brace 23 is connected to a brace 24 extending from the cross member 2| to the forward end of track I9.

A feed reel 25 is centered over the inner rail I2 of the launcher track and extends from the clearance opening I9 at the rear end of the track to a point forward of the posts 29. The feed reel comprises a pair of end plates 26 which support between them three equidistant spacer rods 21. The end plates 26 are journaled for rotation in mounting brackets 28 secured between the inner rail I2 and the spacer rail I5, the rods 21 being equally spaced from and parallel to the axis of rotation of the reel which, in turn, is parallel to the track. A feed table 29 is disposed above the reel 25 between the inner rail I2 and the spacer rail I5. The feed table is in the form of a U-shaped frame comprising an edge piece 30 extending parallel to and adjacent the reel 25 and joined to one side of the housing I1 and to one of the guide posts 20 by end pieces 3|. The feed table 29 slopes downward toward the reel 25 and is reinforced by braces 32. A similarly sloping cross skid rail 33 extends between the vertical braces Ila above the plane of the feed table 29.

Supported between the end housing I1 and the lower end of spacer bar 22 is a gate structure comprising an upper gate 34 having a longitudinal rod 35. The rod 35 is journaled between the rear end of housing I1 and the spacer bar 22, with the axis of the rod parallel to and overlying the inner rail I2. End members 36 are secured to the rod 35 and extend downward parallel to the end housing I1 and the sp-acer bar 22. A journal rod 31 extends between the end members 36 intermediate their extremities, the rod 31 being parallel to the longitudinal rod 35.

A lower gate 38 in the form of U-shaped frame is hinged by its end portions 39 to the journal rod 31. The longitudinal or lower part of gate 38 extends in parallel adjacent relation to the edge piece 30 of feed table 29 and has projecting lugs 4| adapted to rest against the edge piece. As shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 5, the lugs 4| are normally in latching engagement with the edge piece 30 within the frame of the feed table, so as to maintain the gate 38 on one side of its central position.

At the rear end portion of the launcher track between its rails I2 are two longitudinally spaced contact members 42 and 43 (Fig. 4). As described in an application of C. C. Lauritsen, Serial No. 481,690, theforward contact 42 is insulated from the launcher, while the contact 43 is grounded to the launcher. The two contacts are included in an electrical circuit comprising wiring 42a and a current source 42h. Thus, the insulated tail ring of the rocket described in said application Serial No. 481,645 is adapted to engage the insulated contact 42', and the grounded tail ring of the rocket is adapted to engage the grounded contact 43, when the rocket is in firing position on the launcher track I0. It will be understood that when the ring circuit including the current source 42h is closed, as by means of a suitable switch (not shown), a rocket on the launcher track I0 is energized through contacts 42, 43 and the co-acting tail rings on the rocket. so as to ignite electrically the propellant charge in the rocket motor and lire the rocket.

The launcher may be mounted in various ways. As illustrated particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, it may be mounted on a deck by means of deck mounting lugs 44 which project laterally from the lower end portions ofbraces Ila. The lugs 44 t into recesses in brackets 45 on a cross member 46 which may be bolted to the deck. A forward cross member 41, which may also be bolted to the deck, supports a pair of standards 48 connected at their upper ends by a horizontal memberY 49. The member 49 fits into an inverted channel 50 secured to the bottom of the track near the guide posts 20. The horizontal member 49 is held in the channel 59 by releasable clamps 5| on the channel. The cross members 46, 41 and the coacting brackets and mounting lugs are preferably in the form of releasable connections so that the launcher may be readily installed or removed.

The launcher may also be mounted outboard of a vehicle, such as a landing boat. In this case, the channel 59 intermediate the ends of the track ts on a lateral bar (not shown) projecting from the deck of the boat. Intermediate the top and bottom of housing I1 is an outboard mounting bar 53 connected to the braces Ila and adapted to t into a bracket (not shown) provided on the boat deck. The launcher may thus be Supported outboard of the boat with its lower corners below the boat deck, so that the blast from the rocket is discharged into the water and not into the boat.

The launcher as described and illustrated herein is particularly designed to fire the type of rocket described in said patent application, Serial No. 481,645. This type of rocket comprises a bomb case A, a rocket motor B to the rear of the bomb case, lateral ns C at the rear end of the motor, and a pair of axially spaced contact rings D supported by the ns C. As pointed out above, the forward ring D is insulated from the rocket, while the rear ring D is grounded to the rocket, and when the rocket is in firing position on the track I0, the forward and rear rings D engage the contacts 42 and 43, respectively.

The operation of the launcher is as follows: The rockets are vstacked one on top of the other in a column in the space directly above the track I0, the rockets being inclined parallel to the track. The lowermost rocket (Fig. 1) lies in the track I0 with its rings D engaging the contacts 42 and 43 and may be slid into position under the reel from the front end of the track. One of the spacer rods 21 of the feed reel 25 extends between the rocket on the track and the rocket immediately above, the rod resting on the underlying rocket which thus prevents rotation of the reel and supports the overlying rockets inserted from the top of housing I1. A second column of rockets is positioned above the feed table 29, the lowermost rocket of the 'second column rest-'- ing on the feed table and supporting the rockets above. It will be apparent that the rocket tail rings D t closely between the rear end of housing I1 (or its braces I 1a) and the forward flanges I8, which serve to locate the rockets longitudinally in the housing, while the guide I'Ib and sidewalls of the housing prevent lateral displace-V ment of rockets in the two columns. Also, the rear end plate 25 of the reel prevents rearward displacement of rockets on the track.

when the circuit through contacts 42 and 43 is closed, the lowermost rocket in the rst column.

that is, the rocket on the track, is fired, moving alongT the track and out from under the rcel 25. As a result, the reel is no longer supported by an underlying rocket against rotation, so that the weight of the column of rockets above the reel causes the latter to rotate counterclockwise, as seen in F'gs. 5 and 6, thereby transferring the next rocket from the reel to track i8 with the rocket tail rings D engaging the contacts if and 43. During this movement of the ree, the rocket being transferred to the track is guided laterally between the underlying reel rod 2l and the adjacent sidewall of the housing Il', and is held against rearward displacement by the adjacent brace lla and then by the reel end plate 2B. Also, during this movement, the next rod 21 of the reel moves between the rocket being transferred to the track and the rocket immediately above, and comes to rest on the new rocket in the track. It will be observed that this movement of the next rod 2'! between the two lowermost rockets is facilitated by the rounded rocket surfaces which it engages and by locating the reel so that the rod is moving downward when it engages the rockets.

If the ring circuit remains closed, the rocket thus placed on the track is immediately red and the operation is repeated. It will be apparent that as the rockets in the first column directly overlying the track are discharged, the lower ends of the depending members 36 of upper gate 34 are engaged by successive rockets in the first column, thereby holding the lower gate 38 in latching relation to the feed table 28 and preventing rockets in the second column from entering the first column. However, when the uppermost rocket of the first column moves below the upper gate members 36, the upper gate is free to move to the left, as seen in Figs. 5 and 6, so that the lower gate is unlatched from the feed table. Accordingly, the lower gate 38 will swing against the uppermost rocket in the rst column which, when it moves below the lower gate 38, will release the gate. The lateral force exerted by the lowermost rocket in the second column, due to the slope of feed table 29, will then cause this rocket to move down the feed table and into the first column (Fig, 6), the rocket being held against rearward displacement during this movement by the cross skid rail 33.

The ring continues as long as the firing circuit through contacts 42 and 43 is maintained, the reel 25 rotating step by step as each rocket is fired to place the rocket next above in 'firing position on the track. If it is desired to stop the firing, it is merely necessary to break the firing circuit to the contacts. If firing is again desired, the circuit through the firing contacts is again closed and the operation continues automatically until all the rockets are red or until the ring circuit is reopened.

I claim:

1. An automatic launcher for rockets, comprising a launching track, an elongate feeding reel mounted for rotation about an axis extending along and above one side of the track and including parallel spacer bars equiangularly and equidistantly spaced from said axis and each adapted to be interposed between a rocket lying on the track and an adjacent rocket above the first rocket, a deecting table laterally offset from said track above said reel and inclined to feed rockets by gravity into said reel, a framework for supporting a plurality of rockets in vertical co1- umns above the track and table, respectively, and a gate pivotally depending from said framework between said columns in a position for dividing said columns and restraining movement of rockets from the column above said delecting table, said gate being engaged by a rocket in Said column above the track acting to maintain said gate in said restraining position until the rockets above said track have cleared said gate.

2. An automatic launcher for rockets, comprising a launcher track constructed and arranged to be directed on an incline, a framework positioned over said track and extending at an acute angle therewith, whereby when said track is inclined in a firing position said framework is approximately vertically disposed, said framework being adapted to receive and support a plurality of rockets in a vertical column above said track, means positioned along the side of said track comprising a freely rotatable reel for feeding rockets one-at-a-time from said framework to said track and including longitudinal bars each forming with said track a guide for a rocket positioned thereon; and additional framework for supporting a second column of rockets adjacent the first column of rockets, said additional framework including a downwardly inclined deilecting table including a discharge end for directing its lower-most rocket into the first framework, and a gate pivotally depending between said frameworks and releasably engaging said discharge end for dividing said columns and constructed and arranged to be held closed by said first column, said gate being movable to release the second column of rockets when the first column has been discharged until clear of said gate.

LORENZO A. RICHARDS.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 247,158 Bruce Sept. 20, 1881 1,310,053 Brower July 15, 1919 1,337,444 Douglas Apr. 20, 1920 1,434,044 Cooke Oct. 31, 1922 1,709,399 Herlach et al Apr. 16, 1929 2,088,503 Broussard July 27, 1937 2,440,634 Henney l Apr. 27, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 25,326 Great Britain of 1894 52,425 Switzerland Mar. 8, 1910 398,081 Great Britain Sept. 7. 1933 

